Director of Operations (Washington, D.C.)

MMM LEGAL GROUP; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 125,000 - 145,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Long-term disability

Flexible spending

401(k)

Paid Time Off

Paid holidays

Bonus

Job summary

Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP is seeking an HR – Office Manager (Director of Operations) to join the management team in Washington, D.C. This role leads legal assistants, paralegals, and operations staff across the DC offices, ensuring accountability and alignment with Taft standards.

The position requires at least 5 years of management experience in a legal or professional services environment, with a strong HR background to drive performance, onboarding, and development initiatives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in HR, Communications, Business Administration, Organizational Development, or equivalent.
• Minimum 5 years of management experience, preferably in legal or professional services.
• Experience in HR management practices: performance, employee relations, talent development.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage legal assistants, paralegals, and operations staff in Washington, D.C. offices.
• Oversee recruitment, onboarding, training, and development of professional staff.
• Conduct performance evaluations and set goals; implement corrective actions when needed.
• Coordinate onboarding of lateral partners and associates, aligning with HR and practice leaders.
• Monitor paralegal billable hour performance and drive improvement.
• Collaborate with practice group leaders to optimize resources across matters.

Skills

Leadership & people management

HR knowledge

Strategic thinking

Communication & interpersonal skills

Problem-solving

Multi-tasking

Office software proficient

Education

Bachelor’s degree in HR/Business/Org Development

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Taft is seeking an HR – Office Manager (Director of Operations) to join our management team.

We are seeking an HR – Office Manager (Director of Operations) with at least 5 years’ experience to join our management team. The Director of Operations is responsible for managing the operations and professional staff in their assigned offices. All Taft employees operate under a “Client First” philosophy—in all things, we seek to provide exceptional services to our clients.

Duties And Responsibilities

• Lead and manage legal assistants, paralegals, and operations staff in the Washington, D.C. offices, ensuring accountability, engagement, and alignment with Taft standards.
• Oversee recruitment, onboarding, training, and development of professional staff; ensure headcount aligns with office needs and strategic priorities.
• Conduct performance evaluations of assigned professional staff, set goals, and implement corrective actions when necessary.
• Manage the onboarding of lateral partners and associates joining the Washington, D.C. offices, working collaboratively with HR, practice group leaders, training team, IT, and other administrative departments as needed to develop and implement orientation schedules that support seamless integration.
• Monitor paralegal billable hour performance; conduct regular reviews and direct conversations to address shortfalls and drive improvement.
• Partner with Washington, D.C. practice group leaders to increase paralegal productivity and optimize resource allocation across matters and teams.
• Recommend and execute decisions on promotions, compensation adjustments, and terminations in collaboration with HR.
• Collaborate with HR on employee relations matters and organizational development efforts.
• Support special projects and initiatives as directed by the COO or CHRO.
• Facilitate regular professional staff meetings to communicate priorities, share updates, and reinforce Firm culture.
• Partner with Taft’s Facilities and Workplace Delivery and Services Strategy Teams. Serve as the local facilities leader for the Washington, D.C. offices, developing good working relationships with each office’s landlord team and ensuring facility standards are maintained and issues are resolved promptly.
• Ensure smooth daily operations of the Washington, D.C. offices, maintaining high standards of service to attorneys, clients, and internal stakeholders.
• Manage office budget in coordination with Taft’s finance and accounting team; monitor expenditures and ensure responsible use of resources.
• Partner with the Taft Procurement team to maintain vendor relationships and oversee procurement of office supplies, furniture, and services.
• Coordinate office events, professional staff appreciation initiatives, and community engagement activities.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to the Washington, D.C. PiC, supporting execution of office-specific strategies and initiatives.

Knowledge, Abilities, Skills, Interpersonal And Other Requirements

• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Proven ability to lead teams, manage performance, and drive operational improvements.
• Strong understanding of law firm dynamics, including billable hour models and legal support workflows.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel).
• Strategic thinking with a hands‑on approach to execution, including critical thinking skills.
• Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast‑paced environment.
• High social and emotional intelligence and ability to navigate sensitive performance conversations.
• Commitment to fostering a collaborative, inclusive, and accountable workplace culture.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Communications, Business Administration, Organizational Development, or equivalent required.
• Minimum 5 years of management experience, preferably in a legal or professional services environment.
• Demonstrated knowledge of human resources management practices, including performance management, employee relations, and talent development.

Taft offers competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefit package, including medical, dental, vision, life, long term disability, flexible spending, 401, Paid Time Off, paid holidays, bonus and more. The salary range for this position is $125,000 – $145,000 annually. Actual compensation offer to candidate may vary from posted information based on work experience, education, and/or skill level.

Taft is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The information in this posting presents general duties, tasks, and responsibilities but is not intended to be an exhaustive listing. Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP participates in E-VERIFY.